Yashaw Adem

Yashar Adem (22 August 1940 – 5 December 2014) was a British Turkish actor.

Biography Watching movies as a young boy at his local cinema, Adem decided he wanted to become an actor. However, his wealthy parents had other plans for him, envisaging him going to Cambridge University to qualify as an architect. At the age of 17, Adem's father had found a 16-year-old girl from a neigbouring wealthy family for him to wed in an arranged marriage. Following the customs, the boy went with his mother to visit the girl at her house only to discover she was out and in annoyance, told his mother to keep the ring he had bought and the girl too. Afterwards, he was soundly beaten by his father for his pains.

Rebelling, Adem ran away to England, studying English and then drama at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. In the process, he was cut off by his family, his father never forgiving him.

On leaving RADA, Adem began to work in film and television but in 1966, the work began to dry up. In desperation, he was forced to sell his car, motorbike and flat and take up different jobs including being a barman, lorry driver, mechanic and domestic work. After two years, the work picked up, so he was able to resume his acting career.

Filmography